Two finalists on day three of the European Youth Olympic Games 2025 have familiar names; in the -57kg category, Hanna BABULFATH of Sweden battled her way to the final, defeating the current Cadet European Champion, Sofia PEKKI (FIN). Of course, sister and Olympic bronze medallist, Tara, was in the tribune to cheer her on, willing her to earn an Olympic medal of her own.
It was a brutal contest against Pekka, as they endured more than six minutes of golden score before Babulfath scored with ko uchi gari for her chance to go for gold. Meeting her there is Jolina REINHOLD (GER). In her semi final against Kosovo’s Enise ZIJADE, it didn’t look good in the first minute as Zijade was in control, then it became an onslaught. After scoring waza ari with a stunning spinning soto maki komi, Reinhold transitioned immediately in to the osaekomi but only managed to hold long enough for a yuko. There were multiple attacks which earned two more yuko scores and then in the final six seconds, she landed another hold for yuko number four!
More familiar names were found in the -63kg categroy, one semi final contained a Tsurkan and an Andric. Igor and Aleksandra are the older siblings of semi finalists; Ilariia (UKR) and Nina (SRB), and both were here to cheer them on. On this occasion, Tsurkan scored yuko in the opening exchange with a drop morote seoi nage, and won her final place with an ippon-scoring sumi gaeshi.
Meeting Ilariia Tsurkan in the final will be Rumeysa Hatice KILICKAYA (TUR). It was a longer ordeal for Kilickaya against Paula MATUSZEKOVA (SVK) as they delved in to golden score, and it was actually the Slovakian athlete who attempted sangaku but Kilickaya managed to escape, turning the tables and holding her opponent for the necessary five seconds.
We will see the current Cadet European Champion, Veljko VARNICIC (SRB) go for a second title this year as he convincingly defeated Ahmed-Adam HAMDAOUI (FRA), who had been on fire. Initially Varnicic put waza ari on the board by securing the osaekomi but Hamdaoui was too strong to keep down. After some further back and forth, a sumi gaeshi attack scored the second, contest-winning waza ari.
The next head to head between Vasil GAMEZARDASHVILI (GEO) and Mahammad AGHAKISHIYEV (AZE) gave the impression it could be a long one given their strength against one another, however an incredible commitment from Gamezardashvili saw him thrown with harai goshi, scoring ippon agaisnt Aghakishiyev.
The -81kg men concluded the preliminary rounds on day three, and the first to decide a place in the final were Tajus BABAICENKO (LTU) and Konstantin DISTEL (GER). This was truly dynamic battle, both looking for the big throw, but it was an early score from Babaicenko using a drop seoi nage that Distel couldn’t match. The Lithuanian athlete secured a bronze medal at the Cadet European Championships, so matter the result today he has bested his last attempt at a title.
Vying for that title today however will be Mykhailo SOLIANYK (UKR). It will surely be a tough recovery for the Ukrainian athlete after going toe to toe with Giorgi MUMLADZE (GEO) for over six minutes of golden score. The pair had two shidos each and were fighting out of their skin, then a tired mistake from Mumladze allowed Solianyk to score with uke waza and tremendous celebrations ensued.
Judoka
Author: Thea Cowen